Madras HC slams NTA over failure to submit report in NEET 2019 fraud case, says "continued inaction by officials can lead to arrest"

Madurai: Slamming the National Testing Agency (NTA) for failing to submit a report on the 2019 National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) fraud case, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court suggested that NTA officials might be complicit in the fraud case and warned that continued inaction by the officials could lead to their arrest.

The court issued the warning after observing that the case which has been pending for the last five years had not shown significant progress due to the NTA's failure to submit essential documents. The court also suggested that NTA officials could be implicated in a cover-up related to the case. 

NEET fraud case in 2019 - the government of Tamil Nadu ordered an enquiry into all MBBS admissions in 24 medical colleges after the authorities discovered that a student had bagged an MBBS seat by impersonating in the NEET 2019.

Also read- Student Bags MBBS Seat Via Impersonation: Authorities Order Inquiry Into All Admissions In 24 Medical Colleges

The first-year MBBS student of Theni Medical College was booked for alleged impersonation in NEET, the only gateway examination to get into a medical college after it was found that the medico got admission for the academic year 2019-20 with the help of a proxy candidate. 

The medical student had written the NEET examination two times, however, he could clear NEET in both his attempts. Thereafter, he went to Mumbai and appeared for the entrance exam for the third time. This time he cleared the exam and managed to get admission in Theni Medical College.

However, it was discovered that the person who sat for the third NEET attempt was someone else and not the MBBS student who was pursuing the course, thereby alleging impersonation.

As per an India Today report, the investigation was then transferred to the CB-CID (Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department), leading to the arrest of Udith Surya from Chennai as the main accused. Subsequently, cases were registered against 26 more individuals, including parents and brokers in the case.

During the judicial proceedings, Tharun Kumar, another accused in the case, filed a petition seeking release. Justice Pugazhendi, presiding over the hearing, demanded an update from the state regarding the investigation's progress.

In response, the state counsel informed that the NTA had not provided any relevant reports, causing delays in the investigation.

Noting the case had been pending for five years, Justice Pugazhendi criticised the agency highlighting major discrepancies in the examination process. He pointed out that a student who was not even in India managed to appear for the exam in three different states.

The judge expressed concern over the possible complicity of NTA officials in the fraud due to their failure to provide essential documents. He questioned whether an order should be issued to search the residences and offices of the implicated officers.

After getting strongly criticised by the court, the NTA counsel assured that the reports would be submitted by Tuesday. 

Further, the court scheduled the matter for hearing on July 16. 

Also read- Probe Into NEET Scam To Go Pan India: Madras High Court